In The Shadow of Our Choices

Chapter 58 - Post-Inebriation and Pre-Investigation

Sebastian

Sebastian awoke with a start, gasping for breath, his heart pounding against his chest. Sweat coated his forehead and he sat up, trying to shake off the remnants of the nightmare. As his breathing steadied, Sebastian rubbed his face, attempting to ground himself in reality. Like always, his nightmare had been vivid - much too vivid. These days it was always this one, or the twisted memory of that day in the tomb. He scowled, because if his mind was going to torment him, the least it could do was be creative. How was she, right now, Sebastian wondered. In Feldcroft, Elizabeth had panicked in the mornings when he wasn't in the house, and now he was a whole castle away. Perhaps he should tell her the common room password, in case she needed him.

Twitching back the curtains around his bed, Sebastian looked to make sure Ominis hadn't choked in his sleep after drinking half of the Hog's Head. Once he saw his friend was breathing, he stood and stretched. Early morning lake-filtered light filled the room. It was Saturday, and his roommates were still asleep, so Sebastian gathered up his things and headed for the bathroom to get ready.

After the others had left, and it was just Sebastian and a sleeping Ominis, Sebastian pulled out his book from the shop in Knockturn Alley. He hadn't had a chance to give it a good read, not with Ominis and Elizabeth around all the time. It had been a long time since he'd poured over old parchment, deciphering handwritten pages and parsing apart spells. The author of this book had been a traveler, collecting spells from many far flung regions of the world.

It was clear, however, why this book had ended up in Knockturn Alley - like Sebastian, the author thought of magic as a tool, not innately good or evil. The book was a truly treasure trove of knowledge, a glimpse into the esoteric and forbidden aspects of magic. Many of the spells described within were not the kind one would find in standard textbooks or taught at Hogwarts. They were sometimes unorthodox, primitive, or carried a certain air of danger. Sebastian wavered, half wanting to read the thing thoroughly, and half wanting to jump to the spell that had caught his eye in the store.

In the end, he compromised, flipping to the section but reading it as a whole. This portion of the book chronicled the author's time in Haiti, a land rich in mysticism and spiritual traditions. The pages were filled with intricate illustrations depicting rituals and the symbols associated with their ancient practices. The first page of the section featured a detailed drawing of an altar adorned with candles, colorful fabrics, and offerings. The author's annotations explained the significance of each element, describing how the arrangement of objects played a crucial role. Next was a powerful invocation that the author had translated to 'the Opening of the Door.' The accompanying illustration showcased a practitioner surrounded by swirling energy, their outstretched arms calling upon unseen forces.

The subsequent pages detailed other rituals and ingredients - mixtures of herbs, roots, and sacred powders were described, each listed with for their symbolic significance and their ability to enhance certain intended effects. Alongside instructions, hand-drawn diagrams illustrated precise gestures and movements required for spells and rituals. Sebastian's eyes scanned the graceful lines of these, committing the intricate patterns to memory. The author's personal reflections filled the pages, revealing a deep respect for the spiritual practices of Haiti and a profound sense of awe for the power these spells held. It was clear that the author approached the subject matter with reverence.

He paused on another interesting spell, one that had been translated to 'the Separation of Souls.' The drawing accompanying the spell depicted two intertwined figures, their bodies connected by ethereal threads, which, according to the author, symbolized a deep emotional bond or spiritual connection. The drawing reminded him of an unbreakable vow, though, perhaps this was the opposite. He read on though, until he came to the spell he's come across at the shop. This one he practiced idly, tracing the complex casting patterns in the air, though he didn't date to even think the incantation at the same time.